Akiko Yano - Ai Ga Nakucha Ne (2021 Reissue)

Akiko Yano’s classic 1982 album, recorded in London with the group Japan and co-produced by Ryuichi Sakamoto. New introduction by Mac Demarco, interview with Akiko Yano and Steve Jansen.

Ai Ga Nakucha Ne’ (‘there must be love’ in Japanese) is Akiko Yano’s 6th album following 1981’s ‘Tadaima’, and continues its predecessors exploration of elec- tro-pop. For this album, Akiko enrolled musicians Mick Karn, Steve Jansen and David Sylvian from the band Japan, booked Air Studios in London and engaged engineer Steve Nye.

The result is a fascinating soundscape full of catchy pop tunes, sung in both Jap- anese and English. The eleven tracks featured on “Ai Ga Nakucha Ne,” mostly composed by Akiko, feature her distinctive vocals with the UK band Japan pro- viding all music. There are many highlights on the album, from the pop edge of “Aisuru Hito Yo” to the avant groove of “Another Wedding Song”.

The album closes out with the superb “Good Night” sung by both Akiko and David Sylvian. The original 1982 LP release included a 24-page booklet featur- ing many photos by Pennie Smith and Japanese photographer Bishin Jumonji. The booklet is reproduced in its entirety here.

There are also contributions by Mac DeMarco, a long-time fan of the album, Akiko herself and Steve Jansen making this release of ‘Ai Ga Nakucha Ne’ a unique testament to Akiko Yano’s greatness.